Domenico Millelire Explained

Domenico Millelire (La Maddalena, 1761 – La Maddalena, 1827 in) has been an officer of Regia Marina Sarda (Sardinian Royal Navy). He was also the first Italian soldier to have been decorated with a Gold Medal of Military Valor.^[1]

Biography

He was a son of Pietro Leoni and Maria Ornano, being his three brothers Navy officers as well. On 23 February 1793, Domenico Millelire, Commander of the Sardinian fleet, defeated, near the Maddalena archipelago, the fleet of the French Republic led by General Pietro Paolo Colonna-Cesari. In this naval battle took a part, as a lieutenant, the young and future Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte.^[2] Because of this important victory Millelire was rewarded with the gold medal of the Kingdom of Sardinia, and an annuity.^[3]

Bibliography

• Domenico Millelire e la difesa della Sardegna nel febbraio 1793 - 11 di Collana dei quaderni azzurri - Giorgio Bardanzellu - 1954

Notes and References

1. Web site: Cerimonia di commemorazione per Domenico 'Millelire', prim medaglia d'oro al valor militare della Marina - Marina Militare . www.marina.difesa.it . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221711/http://www.marina.difesa.it/Notiziario-online/Pagine/20150224_millelire.aspx . 2016-03-03.
2. Web site: BellaSardegna.it Personaggi di Sardegna: Domenico Millelire . 2012-11-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110722025504/http://www.bellasardegna.it/Storia/Domenico_Millelire.htm . 2011-07-22 . DOMENICO MILLELIRE: Il sardo che sconfisse Napoleone
3. http://www.napoleon-series.org/military/battles/1793/c_maddalena.html La Maddalena, 22/25 February 1793 The baptism of fire of a young Lieutenant Colonel, a certain Napoleone Di Buonaparte from Ajaccio.